Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma addresses Lok Kalyan Divas at Srimanta Sankardeva kalakhetra in Guwahati on Monday, August 05, 2024.(IANS/Anuwar Hazarika)
Guwahati, Aug 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday raised concerns about the declining Hindu population and the rising Muslim population, affecting the state’s demographic balance.
In his Independence Day speech, Sarma stated: “The Hindu population has dropped to 57 percent, while the Muslim population has increased to 41 percent. This deeply concerns us. The state government prioritizes maintaining Assam’s demographic balance and safeguarding indigenous rights.”
He pointed out that in areas like undivided Goalpara district, Barpeta, and other regions, non-indigenous people cannot buy land.
“To protect indigenous culture, we will ban interfaith land transfers in such areas. The state government will introduce a new law during the upcoming Assembly session,” Sarma added.
He outlined upcoming projects aimed at improving governance and infrastructure in Assam. Sarma announced the launch of Mission Basundhara 3.0 on October 2 to retain land ownership in Guwahati for indigenous people and reduce land disputes.
Sarma revealed that 74 new districts or subdivisions would be created, and Chiknajhar in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) would become Assam’s eighth national park.
He also discussed plans for a State Domicile Policy that will prioritize native candidates for government jobs.
The Chief Minister announced the Nijut Moina Scheme, which will support female students’ education starting on October 10, and said that 20 lakh people in Assam would receive ration cards or family IDs from the state.
Sarma highlighted issues like flash floods caused by plastic waste clogging drains and the impact of Meghalaya’s hill mining on Guwahati’s water supply.
He noted that preventing construction on drains and stopping plastic waste disposal could reduce urban waterlogging by 20 percent. Sarma urged citizens to spread awareness and take action to curb these practices.
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